Police responded at 7:17 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, to a call at the Szechuan House Chinese Restaurant, 120 W. Genesee, according to the police department.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with a 21-year-old female employee of the restaurant, and she told police a male came in to the restaurant before 7:17 p.m. and walked to a booth and sat down.

The man was looking at a menu and told the waitress to come back for his order, the waitress told police. When she returned a short time later, he was wearing a ski mask pulled down over his face, she told police.

The suspect stood up and ordered the victim to be seated and placed his hand over her mouth and advised her not to say anything, the woman told police.

The suspect proceeded to the front of the store and walked past the cash register and other employees, fleeing out the front door as the restaurant's owner ran after the vehicle, police said. The suspect fled from the parking lot in a vehicle traveling west on Genesee.

Frankenmuth Chief of Police Donald Mawer said he believes the incident was an attempted robbery.

Police were at the restaurant investigating over the weekend and released a sketch of the suspect Monday, Dec. 9.

The suspect is described as a white male, in his mid to late 20s, standing about 5 feet, 7 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, wearing a dark, solid colored hooded sweatshirt and light colored blue jeans with a wallet chain. He had short brown hair, a light brown goatee, was unshaven and had blue eyes.

The suspect vehicle is described as a four-door Mercedes Benz with sunroof, silver or gold in color.

Police believe the suspect was the only one in the car.

There was no mention or indication of a weapon during the incident, police said, and the suspect is unknown at this time. There were three employees on the premises at the time of the incident, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Frankenmuth Police Department at 989-652-8371 or Detective Flathau at 989-652-3430 ext. 161.